The Altogether Christian
(Ephesians 1: 3-14)
During our lifetimes we’ve all known people who seemed unflappable, self-assured, confident, and fearless in the face of a disaster, crisis, or hard times. They may not have been a leader, or wealthy by society’s standards, or a pillar of the community, but they were somebody you could talk to, ask questions of, seek guidance, and get an honest answer or assessment of whatever it was that was troubling you. For lack of a better term, they seemed “altogether” as in being complete, altogether as in all things considered, or on the whole somebody who had it together. What was it that they had, what did they know that we didn’t know, and how did they get it? I can’t say that I have it, but I have a pretty good idea of what it is. I saw it in many of the grandparents of some of my young black criminal defendants when I practiced law in Tyler, Texas. Being young, black, and charged with a crime in Smith County was not a position you wanted to find yourself in. The deck was pretty much stacked against you and mercy was not to be found inside the four walls of the courthouse. I spent many hours in my office counseling with their grandparents, many of whom had raised their grandchild, and I was struck by how calm and self-assured they were that God was in control, and everything would be alright. Because of their abiding faith in God, they had it altogether and there was nobody or anything out there that could do anything to them that could shake their faith in the knowledge that they had been chosen by God to be one of his children and that He would not abandon them in their time of need.
And that’s what the Apostle Paul is trying to convey to the churches in Ephesus through his circular letter. This particular letter wasn’t meant for any one individual church. It was meant to be shared with all the churches in the area to address a common issue or problem. Paul was concerned because at the time Ephesus was known as a center of magic and learning. The Temple of Artemis was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, and tourists flocked to the city to worship the goddess. In addition, mystery religions, secretive pagan cults, were popular in the region. This explains why Paul repeatedly refers to the mystery of Christ now revealed. To the altogether Christians it isn’t that big of a mystery, but to those on the outside looking in, to those who haven’t fully grasped the concept of grace and salvation, it is pretty mysterious. Why would an almighty God be so forgiving of such a sinful and undeserving people?
In his letter to the churches in Ephesus Paul wants to make a few things clear so there is no misunderstanding, no mystery. He starts out by asking a blessing on God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing that comes from heaven. He says: God chose us in Christ to be holy and blameless in God’s presence before the creation of the world. God destined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ because of his love. What Paul is doing is introducing the concept of election and clarifying it with the phrase “in Christ.” Christians are chosen, elected “in Christ,” who is the elect one. The Apostle is saying that God knew in advance who would believe and foreordained that in Christ they would be saved to the uttermost and conformed to God’s image. We were not predetermined to believe, but rather, as believers, God has a wonderful design for us in Christ as part of His overall purpose to unite the whole of creation under the singular headship of Christ. This, Paul explains, was according to his good will and plan and to honor his glorious grace that he has given to us freely through the Son whom he loves. Paul tells his readers that they have been ransomed through the Son’s blood, and we have forgiveness for our failures based on his overflowing grace, which he poured over us with wisdom and understanding with no strings attached or questions asked.
At this point, to the unbeliever, it seems pretty suspicious, and they would naturally wonder what the catch was. What would they have to give up in exchange for this ransom? Not an unreasonable question and one that Paul answers when he says: God revealed his hidden design to us, which is according to his goodwill and the plan that he intended to accomplish through his Son. This is what God planned for the climax of all times: to bring all things together in Christ, the things in heaven along with the things on earth. You see, it was all God’s plan and we had nothing to do with it. And, as if this isn’t enough, the Apostle tells us that we have also received an inheritance in Christ. We were destined by the plan of God, who accomplishes everything according to his design and we are called to be an honor to God’s glory because we were the first to hope in Christ. He says: You too heard the word of truth in Christ, which is the good news of your salvation. You were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit because you believed in Christ. The Holy Spirit is the down payment on our inheritance, which is applied toward our redemption as God’s own people, resulting in the honor of God’s glory. Well, I guess if there is or was a catch, this is it. We heard the truth and believed. All things considered; we didn’t have to give up anything in exchange. Well now, that is good news!
The Apostle Paul has just revealed that God always planned to redeem people through Jesus’ sacrifice. God predetermined that all who believe in Christ would be saved. Thus, the plan of salvation to form a group of believers, you and me and other likeminded Christians, was foreordained, but the choice of individual believers to affirm or reject God was not. It’s there, free for the taking. We can freely accept the offer of salvation or reject it. Our individual freedom remains intact. Nobody is forcing it upon us, at least not yet. Nonetheless, God’s prevenient grace, the grace that comes before, is necessary for any person to begin to recognize her or his need for God and to desire to draw near. We have to be introduced to God and want to know more and once we choose to respond we are justified, made right, by God’s grace, which is given freely and received through no effort of our own. There are no twelve steps where we have to admit we are powerless, must turn our lives over to a higher power, or make amends to others for past wrongs. God’s grace begins and completes the process, and we can do nothing apart from God’s grace. So those who believe in Christ are now forgiven, freed from bondage to sin and death. And because of this redemption, all who believe are now children of God and will receive an inheritance. God looks upon us as if we had never sinned. All we can do is express our thanks for his wonderful love and live a life worthy of his amazing grace.
For Paul, the full experience of salvation occurs only when believers align themselves with Christ in every aspect of their lives and not just when it is convenient or benefits them or their loved ones. To participate in Christ is to imitate Christ, to do what Jesus would do, dying to sin and living in a manner that brings glory to God. To be in Christ is to live into a new reality and to grow into a new identity. This marvelous, wonderous grace is God’s voluntary and loving favor given to those he saves. We can’t earn salvation, nor do we deserve it. No religion, intellectual, or moral effort can gain it, because it comes only from God’s mercy and love. To receive it, we must acknowledge that we cannot save ourselves, that only God can save us, and that our only way to receive this loving favor is through faith in Christ.
So, in closing, Christianity is not another mystery religion, but rather Christianity openly reveals everything one needs to know to draw near to God. Its once believers understand and accept the loving power of the almighty God, that they are able to live according to that great truth, which is accomplished by living “in Christ,” who is the head of the body, the church. And, as a result of this transformative faith, the “altogether Christian” has a purified heart that leads the believer to love God and neighbor fully, and all things considered, that’s not a bad way to go through life.
Let us pray.
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt, grace that will pardon and cleanse within, grace that is greater than all our sin. Yes, gracious and loving Father, how marvelous is your unmerited grace, a grace we did nothing to deserve. We pray that by your grace our hearts, minds, and lives will be changed and that we will one day become altogether Christians who are unflappable, self-assured, confident, and fearless as we meet the challenges of life in your service. Move us by your gift of the Holy Spirit to be a bright and shining example of what it means to lead a life free from the bondage of sin and shame. Let our lives be a beacon to others who are lost in the darkness. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
To be in Christ is to live into a new reality and grow into a new identity. To watch this special service click link below!
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